Exactly one year after tornado devastates town, Dexter community comes together for girls basketball team

The Dexter student section stands in support of the girls basketball team at the MHSAA Class A girls basketball semifinals at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on March 15. Dexter lost to Grosse Pointe South, 48-29. (Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com)

EAST LANSING -- Exactly one year ago, the Dexter community huddled inside of schools, a car dealership, and their respective basements as a tornado ravaged through the town.

In the aftermath of the devastation, the community would come together in unprecedented fashion to rebuild from the devastation.

On Friday the community came together once again at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, not in fear or for charity, but for a much more positive rallying cry: the girls high school basketball team and its historic run to the MHSAA Class A state semifinals.

People don’t always offer a free place to stay or a hot meal to neighbors. Schools don't always double as a place where those without water to shower, but during the tornado this was all commonplace.

Dexter's student section at girls basketball games is rarely filled, and the traveling contingent consists mostly of parents. But for the past three weeks of the girls basketball team’s unprecedented playoff run, full bleachers have shaken in support of the team, no matter where the games were being played.

“I’m just so proud to be part of the community as a parent as a teacher as a community member,” said Angie Scott, a physicaly education and health teacher at the high school. “During the lowest times when the tornado happened, everybody came together and during the highest of times to be able to support these young girls it’s just been a really cool experience.”

“It’s been really amazing for us to have the community come out and support us,” said Emma Kill, her eyes still red from tears of disappointment after the game. “At our school, girls basketball wasn’t that big of a deal, but as of the last couple of weeks it’s really been a huge thing.”

“The community’s really come together to support us and it’s meant the world to us.”

Kill was one of five seniors to wear a Dreadnaught uniform for the last time on Friday. While she and her teammates would trade anything for one more game, the fans in the stands were appreciative what the team already gave them.

“Win or lose it doesn’t matter we all love them,” said lifetime Dexter resident Louie Ceriani.

Ceriani, 86, said he’s been at nearly every home game not just this season, but since he graduated from Dexter in 1948. This was the first time his loyal fandom got him a trip to the state semifinals in all those 86 years.

Before every game this season he’d make up trash talk and tell the girls it was what the other team was saying about them in the locker room. It was his special way of motivating them.

The girls would smile, and shake their heads and give him a fist-bump on the way to the court.

During the unlikely postseason run, Ceriani changed it up. He still offered the fist-bumps, but switched from a joking tone to a serious one when he addressed the team with just one word.

“Win.”

Win they did, until Friday that is, when Cierra Rice’s slashing moves to the basket seemed as unstoppable as the tornado, and Grosse Pointe South’s defensive press just as unforgiving.

But when the seniors were called off the floor one last time, Ceriani stood tall to lead the community in one last standing ovation.

“Dexter, it’s small but it’s mighty. Like after the tornado everybody was out helping pick up in the neighborhoods and everything,” said McKenzie Svihra. “Having our whole school come here and everybody’s parents and parents friends from other schools, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Dexter coach Mike Bavineau got choked up when asked about what the five seniors he’d say goodbye to meant to him and to the program. From here, he’ll have to start over with a new group.